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11:20
Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos
Published on: March 30, 2011
Developmental biology: cell intercalation one step beyond
Bertrand Bénazéraf1, Olivier Pourquié
1Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|February 14, 2008
Summary
Primitive streak formation is vital for amniote embryo development. Medio-lateral cell intercalation and planar cell polarity pathways are key mechanisms in chick embryo gastrulation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Embryology
- Cell biology
Background:
- The primitive streak is crucial for amniote embryo development, analogous to the blastopore.
- Gastrulation involves significant cell movements and rearrangements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying primitive streak formation in chick embryos.
- To elucidate the roles of cell intercalation and planar cell polarity in early gastrulation.
Main Methods:
- Chick embryo explant cultures.
- Live imaging microscopy.
- Analysis of cell behaviors and gene expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Medio-lateral cell intercalation was observed as a primary mode of cell movement during primitive streak formation.
- The planar cell polarity pathway was found to be essential for orienting cell movements during this process.
Conclusions:
- Medio-lateral cell intercalation is a fundamental process in establishing the primitive streak.
- Planar cell polarity signaling is critical for coordinating cell behaviors during early chick gastrulation.
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